Do Carpet Beetles Eat Food

As the name suggests carpet beetles are important pests in wool carpets and rugs.

Do carpet beetles eat food.

Concealed areas e g cuffs collars fabric folds are often preferred. They may also feed on plant materials including books grains spices and pet foods. And almost anything else they might encounter. If you do it s important to find where carpet beetles may be living or laying eggs.

Carpet beetles are attracted to loose easily consumed food sources. Plant based materials cereal pet food bird seed etc stored in kitchens and basements or cached by rodents are other possible sources of carpet beetles. In california 3 species of carpet beetles cause serious damage to fabrics carpets furs stored food and preserved specimens such as taxidermies. In addition to wool carpet beetles can feed on silk hair feathers and fur.

They do not eat man made materials but they have been found in items that have both man made and. These types of materials carpet beetles routinely feast on include wool felt leather silk fur and feathers. They re particularly prone to eating lint dust hairballs damaged furniture and dead insects. Clothing furniture wool sisal jute carpets leather blankets pet food pet hair crumbs dead insects.

Carpet beetles are the most dangerous type of beetle to most homeowners. Today s carpet is made from synthetic materials that carpet beetles won t eat. Carpet beetle larva feeding on a wool sports jacket. Although they can chew through whole fabric they re more likely to seek out damaged or torn fabrics.

These beetles may also eat synthetic fabrics if they are soiled with food or oils. Carpet beetles congregate wherever animal fibers can be consumed. Unlike other species like wood beetles that only eat wood carpet beetles will eat almost anything. If synthetic materials have been coated in things like sweat oil or food carpet beetles have been known to make an.

Look at all items with fabrics they may eat and be sure to pay attention to folds and creases in the fabric.